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PA refutes Israel FM’s remarks on freedom of worship in Jerusalem

April 16, 2022 at 11:19 am

Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid in Jerusalem on February 10, 2022. [Israeli Foreign Ministry/Anadolu Agency]

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry on Friday refuted claims by Israeli Foreign Minister Yair Lapid about the freedom of worship for everyone in Jerusalem.

Lapid stated on Friday: “Israel is committed to freedom of worship for people of all faiths in Jerusalem, and our goal is to enable peaceful prayer for believers during the Ramadan holiday.”

He blamed the Palestinian worshippers for their response to the Israeli forces’ raid of Al-Aqsa Mosque, suggesting that it was: “Unacceptable and went against the spirit of the religions we believe in.”

The Palestinian Foreign Ministry reminded Lapid that his occupation state is closing gates leading to Al-Aqsa Mosque, imposing tight measures on Muslims performing their prayers there, banning men below the age of 40 from entering and placing barricades along the pathways leading to it.

It also said that forces of Lapid’s state beat Palestinian worshippers, including women and children, and attacked worshippers who were forcefully evacuated from Al-Aqsa Mosque.

READ: Christian leader in Jerusalem: We’ll die in defence of Al-Aqsa Mosque

“On Friday, the forces of Lapid’s state broke into Al-Aqsa Mosque, closed its doors, blocked worshippers inside, broke windows and fired tear gas and rubber bullets at them,” the Palestinian Foreign Ministry shared.

Lapid, in his statement, said: “I send my support to the security forces who acted this morning with sensitivity and determination, thus enabling prayers to continue as normal. Today, on the eve of Passover, the holiday of freedom, we all pray for freedom, security, calm, and good relations between neighbours. I call on our neighbours’ leaders to act in this spirit.”

On Saturday morning, the Palestine Red Crescent Society reported that its paramedics treated 344 Palestinians wounded by the Israeli aggression in the occupied West Bank and Jerusalem, including tens wounded inside Al-Aqsa Mosque.

On Friday, Anadolu Agency reported that the Israeli occupation forces arrested over 400 Palestinian worshippers at Al-Aqsa Mosque.